Many hard-working Italian actors gathered in this cruel film about corruption and mafia crimes: Mario Adorf, Enrico Maria Salerno, Gastone Moschin, Riccardo Cucciolla, Julien Guiomar, Georges Wilson. Ciccio Ingrassia, a comic actor with Franco Franchi in many very weak Italian comedies, here he plays a special dramatic role, as in "Amarcord", directed by Fellini, in which perched in a tree, he screams that he wants a woman. Mariangela Melato plays a shocking role as the widow of a man killed by mobsters. It is almost entirely static, with most of the action taking place in the courtroom, except for the scenes where we see a few deeds, crimes in fact, but it's worth seeing especially for the exceptional acting performances.
2 Reviews
Serious courtroom drama short on thrills
JohnSeal7 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This is a very hard film to review fairly in its currently available format--an English-dubbed videotape from Finland. La Violenza: Quinto Potere (titled The Sicilian Checkmate on the tape) is an extremely talky courtroom drama steeped in Italian politics of the period, and therefore is pretty hard going for an Anglophone audience unfamiliar (as am I) with the topic. Taking place almost entirely during a murder trial, the film details in significant detail the deep roots sunk by organised crime in the business and political life of Sicily. There are a few flashbacks which include what little 'action' the film includes, but the vast majority of the film is a lengthy indictment of mafia corruption.
IMDb indicates Sicilian Checkmate was shot in a 2.35:1 ratio, but the tape is in 1.66:1--not that it actually makes any difference, as the film basically takes place in a single room. Of some note is Ennio Morricone's atypically atonal and spare score, which adds a threatening quality to the proceedings. All in all, this is a tough film to like--but would seem to be a perfect candidate for DVD restoration by the good folks at No Shame. I'd also love to know if this film ever actually had a cinema release in English-speaking territories--and who authorised the expense of recording the English language dub!
IMDb indicates Sicilian Checkmate was shot in a 2.35:1 ratio, but the tape is in 1.66:1--not that it actually makes any difference, as the film basically takes place in a single room. Of some note is Ennio Morricone's atypically atonal and spare score, which adds a threatening quality to the proceedings. All in all, this is a tough film to like--but would seem to be a perfect candidate for DVD restoration by the good folks at No Shame. I'd also love to know if this film ever actually had a cinema release in English-speaking territories--and who authorised the expense of recording the English language dub!
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